Weekly Message from UUSS
January 28, 2022
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Beloveds:
Last Sunday during the prayer I shared with you some words from Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Many of us were saddened to hear of his death last week.
Here are his words:
"We have a tendency to think in term of doing and not in terms of being. We think that when we are not doing anything, we are wasting our time.
But that is not true
Our time is, first of all, for us to be.
To be what? To alive, to be peaceful, to be joyful, to be loving. And that is what the world needs most. "
I heard from several of you that these words were meaningful. They are to me too.
In the service Rev. Roger chose a reading that is a nice complement to these words. It was an excerpt from a piece by Howard Thurman titled "The Sound of the Genuine.”. You can read the full piece here.
"There is in you something that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. [Yet] sometimes there is so much traffic going on in your minds, so many different kinds of signals, so many vast impulses floating through your organism that go back thousands of generations long before you were even a thought in the mind of creation, and you are buffeted by these. And in the midst of all of this, you have got to find out what your name is. Who are you? How does the sound of the genuine come through to you? . . . ."
I offer these words to you with a challenge. Take some time for yourself this week. Time to just be, time to quiet your mind and open your heart. Time to find the genuine in yourself. For your own health and happiness, and so that you can offer your peaceful, joyful, loving self to our hurting world.
Sending love and blessings for the journey,
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We are sad to announce the death of our member Tonie Darling on January 25 of pancreatic cancer. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and held by a giant net of love. Tonie was a daughter, sister, cousin, friend, wife, mother, aunt, mentor, godmother, confidant, advisor, boss, teacher, leader and so many other things, including a life-long UU and the president of our board at UUSS. We will miss her deeply.
Please keep Tonie's family in your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you informed about plans for a memorial.
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The memorial service for our member Carol Baxter will be held at UUSS and streamed at uuss.org/online tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 29, at 2:00 p.m., reception following. Her children invite gifts to the UUSS Heritage Fund in her honor. |
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Are You Interested in
Becoming a Member of UUSS?
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Have you been attending for a while and are interested in learning about what it means to become a member of the congregation? Join Rev Lucy and Rev Roger on Sunday February 13 at 3:00 p.m. for a class called Meaning of Membership. We will share information about our community, the joys and responsibilities of membership, and offer plenty of time for your questions. We will meet on Zoom in the main UUSS zoom room at uuss.org/online.
Is this class right for you? Contact Rev. Lucy with your questions or to RSVP. |
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Sunday Mornings with UUSS
Proof of Vaccination Required to Attend In-Person Services
Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here
Service time 10:30 a.m..
Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
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Our January Soul Matters Theme is
Living with Intention
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You can find materials for your own individual Soul Matters reflection on our website. |
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Half of all offering donations made in January
will support our community partner:
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Sunday Morning Spiritual Practices
Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS
First Sunday Labyrinth walk--Feb. 6
Third Sunday Qui Gong/Tai Chi--Feb 20
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Join us for a Newcomer Orientation the second of ever month Sunday after church in the Welcome Hall; the next one is Feb. 13. Come early on the fourth Sunday of every month for Exploring Unitarian Universalism, starting at 9:30; the next one is Feb. 27. |
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Joys and Sorrows: If you would like to have a joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken aloud by a minister in Sunday’s prayer time, at this link. If we receive the request by 1:00 PM Saturday, we can mention it during the service.
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Sunday, January 30, 10:30:
Living with Intention: Perfectionism or Presence?
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching; Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Ginny Johnson, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
As we finish our January focus on living with intention, we remember that we all make mistakes, in spite of our intentions. We can embrace the relentlessly ordinary side of ourselves. We can look at our imperfections not as failures but as teachers for the way we live.
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Sunday, February 6, 10:30: The Power of Ritual
Rev. Lucy Bunch preaching with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Ginny Johnson worship Associate Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
In these troubled times, ritual has an important place in our lives, to ground us, sustain us and remind us of what is important. Ritual can imbue our lives with intention and meaning. This Sunday we will explore how we can deepen our live through the power of ritual.
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Sunday, February 13, 10:30:
Our Faith Calls us to Anti-racist Work
Rev. Lucy Bunch preaching with members of the Racial Justice Task Force, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones , Worship, Associate Celia Buckley, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
A theology of interdependence is the true heart of our faith and yet many of our systems are built on racial oppression and white supremacy. Our Racial Justice Team will help lead us through some of the challenges of doing the work of dismantling white supremacy.
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Sunday, February 20, 10:30:
A Definition for the Word "Love"
Rev. Lori Ortiz preaching with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Theo Claire, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
For our February theme of widening the circle, we reach out with an ecumenical spirit today.
Lori Ortiz is an ordained minister and a licensed contractor. She serves the Congregational Church of Martinez and runs Lori’s Hardwood Floors. She’s also a wife, mother, and grandmother. A former housemate of Rev. Roger, she received her chaplaincy training at UC Davis Hospital and completed her field placement at The Table, a Methodist church in Sacramento.
Communion: At 2:00 today, Feb. 20, Rev. Lori and Rev. Roger will provide a Communion ritual in the spirit of the ministry of peace, abundance and healing of Jesus of Nazareth; all are welcome. Bobbie Keill, Cynthia Davis and others will contribute to the brief service.
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Religious Education (RE) for
children, youth, & families
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Kindergarten to grade 5 - Soul Kids on Zoom! Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
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For youth in grades 6-7-8, our Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) takes place on the 1st & 3rd Sunday in person, wearing masks, with proof of vaccination. Next meeting is Sunday, February 6 before the service from 9:15-10:15 a.m. Class held in the Fahs Classroom. Hang around afterwards for the 10:30 service!
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For youth in grades 9-10-11-12, our Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) is a place of connection & exploration of our UU values. SHYG meets in the Fahs Classroom twice a month from 11:30-12:30 p.m., wearing masks and with proof of vaccination. Next meeting is Sunday, February 6. Come early & attend the 10:30 service.
*Please register your family for Religious Education
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes |
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As of January 2, to attend or participate in on-site Sunday services and other indoor programs and activities, it is necessary to bring proof of being fully vaccinated and a photo I.D. (for all who are eligible for vaccination, currently age 5 and older). Please come a little early. Read more on our website at this link.
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The walls are filled with beautiful art by artist Bobbi Baldwin. Her paintings are both figurative and expressive, while her portraits and still life are completely lifelike in a romantic realism. The Art Committee will hold a reception, Friday, March 4, from 5:30 to 7 pm. Enjoy the art and remember all sales benefit UUSS. For information contact Patricia Pratt at 916-730-9380 or quiltsrpat@aol.com.
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"Exploring Deism & Theism: Belief in God in an Age of Science", a 7-week discussion led by Mary Ann Bernard on Sundays Jan. 30 – March 6, 12:00 to 1:50 p.m. In person or via Zoom. Info, signup at adultenrichment@uuss.org. |
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UUSS CUUPs Imbolc this Sunday, Jan. 30 4:00-7:00 pm. Fahs Room & back patio. Ceremony 5:30-6:00, pot luck before or after. Preparation for spring births. Honoring of Celtic Goddess Brigid, with maybe a touch of Shinto kami/goddess Amaterasu.
Please bring mask, vaccine card, dinnerware, & flatware. All are welcome! Contact: cuups@uuss.org
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Saturday Stitchers Saturday, February 5 at 10:00am in the Fahs Room. Contact: stitchers@uuss.org
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Last session we explored the poem New Day’s Lyric, by Amanda Gorman, who made such a stirring impression at the Inauguration of President Joe Biden. You can read it online at this link.
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UU's for Justice in the Middle East(UUJME) Monday, Feb. 7 from 5 - 6:15 online only.
This is the first Monday. We’re not meeting on the third Monday due to Presidents’ Day in
In person based on interest and safety. Please RSVP to: uujme@uuss.org for link. We’ll finish talking about book by Rashid Khalidi “The Hundred Years War on Palestine”.
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InterPlay led by Rev. Lucy and Friends takes place on the 2nd Saturday of the month, 10:30 to noon. InterPlay is a series of forms that combine movement, storytelling, stillness, and sound to access your body wisdom. Take an opportunity to tune in, connect with others, give yourself moments of ease and be playful! If you are looking for a way to have fun and insights all at once, come join us! Link here. Learn more about Interplay here. Next meeting: February 12 .
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Theater One Production: Roe by Lisa Loomer, March 11 through March 27, Friday and Saturday 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees, 2:00 pm.
Roe tells the backstory of the 1973 Supreme Court decision protecting a woman's right to choose. Purchase tickets at ticketleap.com/roe-by-lisa-loomer. $25 General, $20 Senior/Students/SARTA
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Denominational Updates:
UUA Regional Assembly Is Online Feb. 4-6
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Our congregation is part of the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) and the Pacific Central District (PCD). Our congregations are served by UUA staffers in the Pacific Western Region. You can read and subscribe to the monthly Newsletter of the Pacific Western Region at this link.
From Feb. 4-6, Regional Assembly takes place for all people and UU communities in this Region--online! Most programs take place on Saturday, Feb. 5, but it starts with opening worship Friday night and two programs Sunday morning. Rev. Roger is a member of the PCD board and will be part of a panel talking about ideas for the merging or dissolution of some or all of the four UU districts in the Pacific Western Region, including the PCD. Due to the contagiousness of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, it won't happen in San Diego, but online. If you would like to attend, you can register for Regional Assembly by clicking on the link. If you plan to attend Regional Assembly but can't afford the full registration fee, let Rev. Roger know.
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Staff and Minister Availability |
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Rev. Roger --Roger's day off is Monday; study day is Friday, but he will be away at the Institute of the UU Ministers Association in San Diego Monday through Friday, Feb. 4.
Rev. Lucy (Lucy's day off is Monday; study day is Friday) are available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person, and the Pastoral Volunteers are available for support by phone. Schedule an appointment with Lucy at calendly.com/revlucyb. She will be on study leave February 14 through the 25th.
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. |
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